Leonard Davis graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1965. He was killed in action a year after graduation while serving as a U.S. Army Second Lieutenant in the Vietnam War.
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Leonard Davis graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1965. He was killed in action a year after graduation while serving as a U.S. Army Second Lieutenant in the Vietnam War.
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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Leonard Douglas Davis (ASN: OF-104697), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Second Lieutenant Davis distinguished himself on 2 August 1966 while serving as platoon leader of Company C, 2d Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in relief of a beleaguered unit which had made contact with a large Viet Cong force in the Republic of Vietnam. Upon reaching the friendly force, the company received intense hostile fire from fortified Viet Cong emplacements. Unhesitatingly, Second Lieutenant Davis maneuvered his platoon into position to bring effective fire upon the insurgents. Upon learning that the bodies of four members of a reconnaissance platoon were outside the perimeter, Second Lieutenant Davis was directed to recover the bodies. He organized a three-man team and personally led them outside the perimeter. Because of the intensity of hostile fire in the area, the recovery team was forced to return to the perimeter. Although the perimeter was subjected to intense Viet Cong fire, Second Lieutenant Davis, with complete disregard for his safety, moved among his men, encouraged them and issued instructions. During the course of the action, three hostile mortar rounds landed in the friendly perimeter and Second Lieutenant Davis was mortally wounded by the mortar fragments. His extraordinary heroism in close combat against a numerically superior Viet Cong force was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.